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Funerals

Masons attend a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the Staples Center arena on April 11th, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Fans filled the 21,000-seat arena to mourn the Grammy-nominated artist, who was shot and killed in front of his store, The Marathon Clothing, on March 31st, 2019 in Los Angeles.
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Viewfinder: Nipsey Hussle's Celebration of Life and Funeral Procession in Los Angeles

Masons attend a memorial celebration for slain rapper Nipsey Hussle at the Staples Center arena on April 11th, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

By Pacific Standard Staff
The Lincoln catafalque is protected by a plastic cover as preparations for the arrival of the body of former United States President George H.W. Bush continue at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on December 3rd, 2018, in Washington, D.C. A World War II combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice president, and 41st president of the U.S. A state funeral for Bush will be held in Washington over the next three days, beginning with him lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda until Wednesday morning.
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Viewfinder: The Rotunda Awaits George H.W. Bush

A World War II combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, vice president, and 41st president of the United States.

By Pacific Standard Staff
Relatives and friends mourn during the funeral of 26-year-old Ezequiel Leiva, who died in the hospital three months after being injured during anti-government protests, on September 18th, 2018, in Managua, Nicaragua. More than 300 protesters were killed in Nicaragua during months of unrest following demonstrations against President Daniel Ortega's government.
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Viewfinder: An Anti-Government Protester's Funeral in Nicaragua

Relatives and friends mourn during the funeral of 26-year-old Ezequiel Leiva, who died in the hospital three months after being injured during anti-government protests, on September 18th, 2018, in Managua, Nicaragua.

By Pacific Standard Staff
Chaka Khan performs at the funeral for Aretha Franklin at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan, on August 31st, 2018.
Social Justice

Too Much and Still Not Enough: Mourning Aretha Franklin

The funerals of my Muslim childhood were quick and modest. But I've learned to love the extended gospel funeral. Aretha's homegoing reminded me why.

By Hanif Abdurraqib
Yemeni children vent anger against Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Washington, D.C., on August 13th, 2018, as they take part in a mass funeral in the northern Yemeni city of Saada, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Huthi rebels, for children killed in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition last week. At least 29 children were among those killed in the air raid on August 9th on a bus in a crowded market in Dahyan, Saada province, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
News in Brief

Viewfinder: Yemen Buries Children Killed by Saudi-Led Coalition Airstrike

Yemeni children take part in a mass funeral in the northern Yemeni city of Saada for children killed in an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition last week.

By Pacific Standard Staff
Firefighters gather up an American Flag after the funeral for New York City firefighter Lieutenant Michael Davidson at St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 27th, 2018, in New York City, New York. Davidson died early last week from smoke inhalation while fighting a fire in the basement of a Harlem building. He leaves behind a wife and four young children.
News in Brief

Viewfinder: Honoring a Fallen Firefighter in New York

Firefighters gather up an American Flag after the funeral for New York City firefighter Lieutenant Michael Davidson at St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 27th, 2018, in New York City, New York.

By Pacific Standard Staff
At a funeral in a remote corner of Indonesia, water buffalo are sacrificed in order to help carry the deceased to the afterlife.
Field Notes

Field Notes: A Sacrifice for the Afterlife in Indonesia

Tana Toraja, Indonesia: At a funeral in a remote corner of Indonesia, water buffalo are sacrificed in order to help carry the deceased to the afterlife.

By Pacific Standard Staff
Social Justice

Training Celebrants to Offer More Meaningful Funerals

Trained celebrants — often with backgrounds in psychology, social work, acting and other professions that emphasize writing or public speaking — are helping families create personalized ceremonies to honor loved ones who've passed on.

By Andrea Cooper
Social Justice

Was Osama bin Laden's Burial Handled Correctly?

How to honor, or desecrate, the body of a fallen foe such as Osama bin Laden often leaves the victor fearful of creating a shrine where the unslain gain succor.

By Colin Murphy
Social Justice

Green Planting: Eco-Friendly Burials Catching On

The numbers are still small and even proponents admit to a whiff of fad, but backers of green burials see their way of death as the wave of the future.

By Frank Nelson